In praise of Jordan Pickford.
England's No 1 the rock behind an occasionally rocky defence.
Jordan Pickford is indisputably England’s No 1 goalkeeper, has been throughout Gareth Southgate’s eight-year tenure, yet he throws himself around in training as if the third-choice new boy eager to impress. At England’s secluded Euro 2024 training complex in the hilly Thuringian forest on Wednesday, Pickford made save after save as the squad’s other keepers, Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson, the goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson and the “training keeper” Tom Heaton smashed balls at him.
Close up, the ferocity and cleanness in which the four propelled half-volleys at Pickford was impressive, and his agile response even more so. He dived left or right, dropping quickly. He stood up to those driven straight at him, holding on to the speeding ball, ensuring it didn’t spill and gift any lurking match-day striker an easy chance if they’ve ghosted away from their marker.
From right to left in front of Pickford, there is plenty of uncertainty over England’s back-four against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday. Kyle Walker’s form for Manchester City has been questioned but he enjoyed a better second half to the season and was relied on by Pep Guardiola. Walker did, though, get caught out of position for Iceland’s goal against England at Wembley last Friday. There are concerns over John Stones’ fitness and readiness, following news that the centre-back was confined to his room on Wednesday with illness.